Team Leader - Sri Lanka Support Unit

Team Leader – Sri Lanka Support Unit Phase 2 (SLSU 2)

Opportunity to provide strategic leadership and program oversight of the Sri Lanka Support Unit Phase 2 (SLSU 2)

Sri Lankan national, and international applicants will be considered

Long Term contract from October 2025 to September 2027 (with possible extension of up to 4 years)

Based full time in Colombo, Sri Lanka

About the Program

Sri Lanka Support Unit Phase 2 commenced in October 2023 and is an investment of up to AUD $22 million. The goal of SLSU2 is to contribute to a stable, prosperous and resilient Sri Lanka. The SLSU is a hybrid Facility providing both enabling and development results for DFAT. The performance of the Facility is assessed against each of the End of-Facility-Outcomes (EOFOs). It has two EOFOs:

EOFO1: Effective, accountable and responsive governance, economic and inclusive resilient development

Selected ministries, departments and agencies, NGOs, private sector and communities in target locations adopt more context appropriate and responsive policies, systems and processes for governance, economic and inclusive resilient development.

EOFO 2: Efficient, effective and adaptive SLSU management

The Australian Government's development cooperation program is supported by inclusive, efficient, effective and adaptive SLSU enabling services.

About the Opportunity

The Team Leader is responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of SLSU 2, programming, leading, and directing a high performing team to achieve the End-of-Facility Outcomes and providing overall management of all components. The Team Leader will oversee Facility and program quality and performance and ensure effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL), and program partners.

The Team Leader will ensure coordinated delivery of SLSU 2 including the Direct Aid Program subprogram and the new Skills for Inclusive Economy (S4IE) program. The Team Leader will also provide responsive 'just in time' strategic advice to DFAT as requested supporting short, medium and long-term priorities.

Core Responsibilities

Leadership

• Work closely with DFAT senior leadership and program managers and the Facility's leadership team to set and develop activities and be the primary leader and driver of SLSU 2 programming and planning to deliver services, as specified in the head contract between DFAT and Abt Global (Abt).
• Communicate a clear vision and build a collaborative, high performing SLSU 2 team to achieve Facility outcomes.
• Responsible for operational and technical oversight for all aspects of the program to ensure quality performance, including in respect to cross-cutting themes: GEDSI, localisation, climate resilience, and safeguarding.
• Coordinate and liaise with all program delivery partners of Abt Global for effective delivery the program.

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain excellent, responsive relations with GoSL and DFAT.
• Support DFAT to strengthen collaboration with GoSL and engage on relevant issues.
• Manage and strengthen relationships with Facility and program partners ensuring their scopes of work remain relevant and responsive to Facility needs.
• Maintain an effective relationship with Abt's Contractor Representative to ensure program implementation is in alignment with Abt values, mission, systems, policies and procedures.

Reporting

• Strive for outstanding results and effective communication of results and progress through reports and other documentation.
• Oversee monitoring and evaluation, the preparation of Facility milestones, deliverables and other documents including bi-annual progress reports and annual plans, and ensure they are submitted on time, are of high quality and meet Head Contract and DFAT standards.
• Oversee timely implementation of the Facility workplan including achievement of key performance indicators.
• Oversee reporting provided by partners and advisors.
• Oversee the implementation of the Facility Exit Strategy and lead the contractual updates to the Handover Plan and the development of the Completion Report.

Program Management

• In partnership with DFAT and GoSL, implement the Facility and its programs in line with its strategic direction (as expressed in the design document), budget and workplans to achieve the End-of-Facility Outcomes (EOFOs).
• In partnership with DFAT and GoSL, lead the Facility to implement Facility governance mechanism as required.
• In partnership with DFAT and GoSL, coordinate on risk management and adaption to maintain the Facility's relevance and responsiveness to GoSL and other stakeholders.
• Drive innovation and flexibility in the Facility and its programs, building upon existing and fostering new partnerships and opportunities.
• Budget management, including ensuring adherence to the Facility's budget, overall value for money and quality in delivery, and managing any underspending.
• Identify and manage emerging and existing risks to Facility and program effectiveness. Ensure risks are captured and reported on in accordance with Abt's Entity Risk Management Framework and communicated to DFAT at regular (quarterly) intervals. Inform DFAT of immediate risks with recommendations.
• Ensure that monitoring and evaluation and communications can track performance of the Facility and its programs and effectively report on results.
• Participate in internal and external Facility and program reviews as required.
• Establish oversight and provide support to ongoing Facility and program activities and grants.

Technical Advice

• Provide responsive, strategic advice to DFAT as requested to strengthen development effectiveness across Australia's development portfolio and other short, medium and long-term priorities.
• Guide integration of GEDSI, climate change, and locally led development across all activities.

People Management

• Lead, guide, mentor and manage the performance of the Facility team and recruitment of technical and operational personnel; and develop and maintain a productive and inclusive work environment and positive organizational culture.
• Develop and implement high standards in terms of work outcomes and behaviors; develop individuals through ongoing guidance, mentoring and coaching and promote team behaviors of integrity, trust and respect in accordance with company and program values.
• Manage performance of partners and advisors.

What We Value

We are seeking an experienced leader and development practitioner with a proven record of leading teams and implementing programs in close relationship with DFAT and other stakeholders to deliver outcomes in complex environments. The successful applicant will demonstrate high emotional intelligence and integrity, with the ability to think creatively and adapt showing good judgement and analysis.

They will also have the ability to advocate and influence and be a strong public communicator and bring extensive skills in taking initiative and foster a culture of curiosity, flexibility and innovation.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as international development, social sciences, public policy, or business management.

Experience:

• Substantial senior management and leadership experience implementing a development assistance program in a developing country context, preferably in Sri Lanka and/or South Asia.
• Significant experience working in close relationship with high level decision makers in a politically sensitive manner - including DFAT, program partners and other stakeholders.
• Experience advocating for gender equality, disability inclusion or relevant social issues.
• Experience in meeting program deliverables and managing oversight of program governance, MEL and on-time quality DFAT reporting.
• Experience in utilizing grants as a delivery modality is desirable.

Skills and knowledge:

• Manage relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders and public and private sector partners.
• Build positive workplace culture and build, motivate and inspire teams to collaborate and deliver outcomes in complex environments.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Commitment to safeguarding, PSEAH, child protection and fraud prevention.
• Familiarity with Australian government processes and program management approaches including public diplomacy and communications requirements.

How to Apply

Please apply online attaching a cover letter and up-to-date comprehensive CV as a single document, addressing how you meet the requirements against the selection criteria.</p